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For a short first visit to Shanghai, eat Haidilao hotpot and Nanxiang xiao long bao, walk Nanjing Road to the Bund at night, and continue to Yu Garden and the Old Town. Stay on Metro Line 2 so the sights and Hongqiao Railway Station are one ride away. This is Days 3 and 4 of our 5-day Hangzhou, Wuzhen, Shanghai and Suzhou trip.
Shanghai is China's biggest city and one of the most populous cities in the world, which means you should be prepared to queue wherever you go. It's China's financial centre and a huge port. I wasn't surprised to see high-rise buildings, but I was excited to walk its streets. The fusion of modern and traditional design makes Shanghai very unique.
Shanghai at a glance
| Time needed | 2–3 days for first-timers; we had about a day and a half |
|---|---|
| From Hangzhou | High-speed train, as little as 45 minutes to Shanghai Hongqiao |
| To Suzhou | High-speed train, about 25 minutes to Suzhou Station |
| Getting around | Metro: Line 2 links Hongqiao, Nanjing Road, People's Square and Lujiazui |
| Where to stay | Near a Line 2 station (see where to stay) |
In this guide
Dinner at Haidilao (海底捞火锅)
Our first stop in Shanghai was Haidilao, a hugely popular hotpot chain (you'll find it in Singapore now too). It's more expensive than local hotpot restaurants, but the quality is better than most. Despite the long waits, people still queue for it. While you wait, ladies can get a basic manicure for free, and there are snacks and drinks to ease the pain. Pretty cool customer service, huh?
First, choose your soup base. One table can have up to four flavours, and you can pick the spice level for each. Then order your food. Unlike traditional Chinese hotpot, Haidilao lets you order half or full portions, which is perfect for small groups or even solo diners. We ordered mushrooms, bacon strips, vegetables, fishballs, luncheon meat and fish. The bill came to around ¥200 for two in 2015, about S$23 per person. A perfect dinner for a rainy day! It really warms your heart and soul, and most importantly, your tummy.
Nanxiang Xiao Long Bao (南翔馒头店)
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, by Yu Garden, has a long history and makes some of the best xiao long bao in Shanghai. I fell in love with them as they melted in my mouth. Whether you take away or dine in, go early, as the wait gets very long at peak hours. I prefer the xiao long bao to the giant tang bao (the one you drink with a straw): its skin is too thick, and bite-sized is always better!
Nanjing Road, the Bund, Yu Garden and the Old Town
As the sky turned dark, the lights came on along the Bund and across the river in Pudong, lighting up our hearts on a rainy night. We kept walking and reached Yu Garden after about 40 minutes. The garden is small compared to others, and it was a little sad that we couldn't enjoy it as it was too dark. Still, it was nice to pass by on the way to the Old Town.
The Old Town's architecture is a unique fusion of east and west. It was once enclosed by a city wall built in the 1550s to keep out Japanese pirates, which was demolished in 1912. Foreign influence and the city's growth shaped what it is today.
2026 tips: Nanjing Road East is a pedestrian street that leads straight to the Bund. The Bund is free and best after dark. Yu Garden itself needs a ticket and closes in the early evening, so visit by day and come back to the bazaar at night for the lights.
🎟️ Visiting Yu Garden? Book Yu Garden tickets on Trip.com to skip the ticket queue. (Affiliate link)
Shanghai Museum
After a failed attempt on our first day, we visited the Shanghai Museum the next day, as it was highly rated on TripAdvisor. The Singaporean theory says "the longer the queue, the better the stuff". Sadly, it didn't apply here. The museum wasn't as interesting as I expected, and personally, I think the museums in Beijing are a lot better.
What's changed: since 1 September 2025, individual visitors can walk into the People's Square museum with their passport, without booking, except at peak times such as national holidays, school holidays and popular exhibitions. It's closed on Mondays. There's also a newer branch, Shanghai Museum East, in Pudong.
On our second day, we started with Nanxiang xiao long bao, visited the museum, then took the high-speed train to Suzhou, which takes as little as 25 minutes. Book China train tickets on Trip.com.
Where to Stay: Dorsett Shanghai
We chose Dorsett Shanghai for its location and price (US$97 a night in 2015). It's right at Century Park station on Metro Line 2, which runs directly from Hongqiao Railway Station, perfect if you're arriving by train from another city. It's not in the main sightseeing area, but having the subway at the doorstep made everything easy, and many attractions are along Line 2. The room was clean and the bed comfortable. I'd definitely come back to this hotel.
🏨 Check Dorsett Shanghai prices on Trip.com, or compare Shanghai hotels near a Line 2 station. (Affiliate links)
Shanghai FAQ
How many days do you need in Shanghai?
Two to three days covers the Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, the Old Town and the Shanghai Museum. Add a day for the French Concession or a water-town day trip such as Zhujiajiao.
Do you need to book the Shanghai Museum?
Not usually. Since 1 September 2025, individual visitors can walk into the People's Square museum with their passport. Bookings are still needed at peak times such as national holidays, school holidays and popular exhibitions. It's closed on Mondays.
How do I get from Shanghai to Suzhou?
Take a high-speed train from Shanghai or Shanghai Hongqiao to Suzhou Station. The fastest trains take about 25 minutes and there are hundreds a day. Book to Suzhou Station rather than Suzhou North for the old town.
Where should I stay in Shanghai?
Stay near a Line 2 metro station. Line 2 runs from Hongqiao Railway Station through Nanjing Road and People's Square to Lujiazui, so most sights and the train station are on one line.
Prices marked 2015 are from our trip. Museum rules, transport and hotel details are updated as of October 2026; always check before you go. This post contains affiliate links; if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.